DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION – ST. XAVIER’S DORANDA

22 APRIL 2022

‘When we honour the past, and embrace the future; then the present becomes a celebration.’

I would like to connect it to the words of Pope Francis who said in his Apostolic Letter in 2014 on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life, “Look at the past with gratitude, Live the present with passion and Embrace the future with hope.”

I am delighted to participate in the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of St. Xavier’s School Doranda, the School with which I have an association. Today it brings back the fond memories of 24 years when I had the privilege and pleasure to serve this School initially as the Assistant teacher, Vice Principal, and later as the Principal and now of course as the Chairman of the School. It has been a very meaningful journey for St. Xavier’s School Doranda ever since it was established in 1960. Its contribution to the cause of School Education has been widely acknowledged today. I fondly and gratefully remember and congratulate all those who have contributed – toiled and sacrificed – to make St. Xavier’s Doranda what it is today.

On the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of St. Xavier’s School Doranda, I take the honour to welcome Sri Hemant Soren, the honourable Chief Minister of Jharkhand, His Grace Felix Toppo SJ, the Archbishop of Ranchi, Rt. Rev. Binay Kandulna, the Bishop of Khunti, all the Dignitaries, Esteemed Guests, staff, students, parents and alumni…

This Diamond Jubilee Celebration could well be called ‘A Time of Gratitude’, because we have so much to be grateful for. This Jubilee of St. Xavier’s School Doranda is a milestone/an occasion to be celebrated, to recall the amazing and marvellous ways in which the school has fulfilled its Vision-Mission in imparting value-based solid and holistic schooling by moulding the students who will bear the torch of love, and bring about a culture of peace and harmony which our society and country needs today. This Jubilee Celebration is also an auspicious time to reflect on the past laurels of the school as well as introspect on the plannings to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

From its very humble beginning in 1960, St. Xavier’s School Doranda has grown leaps and bounds, and now stands tall and proud equipped with the latest innovations in technology applied to teaching-learning pedagogy – the new expectations of the society from School education today – as the new building of the School that we bless and inaugurate today consists of Library, Computer Labs, Science Labs, well-equipped Classrooms and a Multipurpose Hall.

St. Xavier’s School Doranda has grown from strength to strength under the able leadership of 13 Principals, and 10 Vice Principals and now occupies the place of pride and prize in Jharkhand but in the whole country. I proudly say so because St. Xavier’s School Doranda has played a central role in educating generations of students who have been playing important roles in society – be it in business or in public services.

St. Xavier’s School Doranda has always had classes on Value Education and Faith Formation, as part of syllabus, to inculcate values among the students. Religious Instructions and Social Concerns are imparted on special occasions to promote a harmonious and holistic development among all students of the School. As I hear them saying, such occasions are enlightening and enriching experiences for students and staff alike. Thus, the role of this School with sole intention is (1) to make people good in every facet of human life; and (2) to connect, bind and bring them together as one family.

(Story of Scissors and Needle) ……

In the Holy Bible, the Book of Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” As the Principal of this School, I did treasure a vision – SXD Vision 2020 – a dream, and today I am extremely happy to see that vision realized. As it was mentioned in the beginning of the Holy Mass that I drew the inspiration of this vision from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the Former President and Missile Man of our country, when he said, “I have a third vision. India must stand up to the world. Because I believe that unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us.” This was revealed when he acknowledged that he had three dreams for India – (1) Freedom, (2) Development, and (3) Confrontation – India must stand up to the world. This ‘SXD Vision 2020’ has accelerated the process of growth/transformation particularly in the past 20 years, which is being marked today by an unprecedented expansion of the building/infrastructural facilities in the School. I wholeheartedly thank Mr. Rahul Surin, an Architect and an illustrious alumnus of the School, above all one of my liked Students who designed SXD Vision 2020 and Mr. Jasbir and Paresh both parents and builders, who completed the construction work with full dedication and love. I also thank Doranda Old Xaverians, donors, benefactors, our parents who stood with us in the completion of SXD Vision 2020.

However, let me acknowledge that the rapid changes of the recent years have also implied greater challenges for the School. Therefore, the tasks that lie ahead require fresh thinking and innovative ways of doing things. I am sure, the School will utilize the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee to reflect on how it should evolve in the future to be able to do full justice to its onerous responsibilities.

Today as the Chairman of the School, I commit my full support to carry forward the work of strengthening the School Education with even greater energy and sense of purposefulness in the future with a focus on the Excellence as the motto of the School goes ‘Utsah Siddhaye’ – ‘Strive to Excel’.

These were some thoughts that I wished to share with you today. Let me congratulate the management, staff and students for your valuable contributions in terms of dedication and commitment to this School and thank all the benefactors/benefactresses for your generosity in its being and becoming and I whisper a prayer for God’s blessings on your every endeavour and wish ‘all the best’ for the future. Finally, I conclude with an inspirational quote from the great philosopher Soren Kierkegaad, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forward.”

Thank you!

With Regards

Fr. Ajit Kumar Xess, SJ

Chairman